This esteemed university President was wearing a full-on football uniform.
That is how Dr. Ashlee Rzyczycki first experienced the phenomenon that is David A. Armstrong, J.D.
In an effort to show his support for the football program that he helped create at St. Thomas University, President Armstrong – a former coach and player as well as a devoted Cleveland Browns fan — put on a Bobcats helmet, shoulder pads, and all the rest.
“He was trying to tackle kids,” said Dr. Rzyczycki, still delighted and astonished, even five years later, at the image in her head.
“I said to myself: ‘I’ve got to go work for this guy.’ I’ve worked with university presidents who are like the Wizard of Oz. They exist behind a curtain, never engaging with anyone.
“But that’s not what (Armstrong) does. He engages with everyone.”
It should come as no surprise that Dr. Rzyczycki took Armstrong’s offer that day, and she is now the director of one of STU’s most successful programs – Fashion Merchandising and Design.
Carlos de Yarza, STU’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications, was also there that day Armstrong put on STU’s uniform.
“He suited up head to toe – he even had cleats on!” de Yarza laughed. “He almost killed an unsuspecting running back.”
President Armstrong in full uniform well after his college eligibility had expired is a comical anecdote.
But it is also deeply informative.
Armstrong does not just tackle on the football field.
He tackles problems.
And, he actually fixes them, which is quite a concept.
Take St. Thomas University. After all, Barry University nearly did.
When Armstrong arrived at STU six years ago, a “merger” with Barry seemed to be the only solution to the budget and enrollment issues that were crippling St. Thomas University.
But President Armstrong found a better way.
He empowered his employees.
He motivated his students – even that poor running back who, at the very least, saw how much Armstrong cared.
In the end, President Armstrong helped save St. Thomas University, which is now thriving.
And so, on Thursday afternoon, dozens of STU employees, STUdents and other well-wishers, crammed into Schooner’s Mast Pub on campus to celebrate Armstrong’s sixth-year anniversary as this university’s president.
Scott Koskoski, who is STU’s Vice President of Philanthropy, served as the event’s master of ceremony.
As such, Koskoski invited anyone and everyone to come on stage to say a few words, or, as he put it “toast or roast” Armstrong.
Roast President Armstrong at your own peril of course. But, besides that, what is there to roast? Many of the people in that overflowing room on Thursday were hired by Armstrong, who is involved with everything on campus except, perhaps, the real tackling that goes on with his beloved Bobcats football team on Saturdays.
Scott Koskoski is one of those people Armstrong hired.
“I came a thousand miles for this job,” Koskoski said on Thursday, “and I am constantly pinching myself that I get to work with a man I believe to be the best college or university president in the land.
“Coming here to work for him was the easiest ‘yes’ I’ve ever had to give in my life.”
But President Armstrong does not just connect with students, teachers, and staff.
He also builds relationships with community leaders – especially those who are on board with helping STU become one of the greatest Catholic universities in the nation.
Oliver G. Gilbert III, who is the chairman of the Miami Dade Board of County Commissioners, shares in Armstrong’s vision.
At first, though, all Commissioner Gilbert could see when he met Armstrong was something else entirely.
“He was wearing a loud suit – it might have been purple,” Gilbert said as the audience roared with laughter. “Whatever color it was, it was loud.
“But I also remember him talking to me about leadership. He talked about St. Thomas University becoming an integral part of our Miami Gardens community.
“What I learned that day is that leadership really matters. This was a good university that became great because of President Armstrong’s leadership.”
Many other people spoke on Armstrong’s behalf on Thursday – more than 30 minutes of tributes from all sorts of people.
President Armstrong – never shy and rarely caught off guard – seemed genuinely touched and surprised by it all.
“This was supposed to be just a couple of beers at the bar,” Armstrong said. “I didn’t know we were doing all of this.
“My heart is so full of gratitude.”
Armstrong, initially choked up by all the love and support, went on to do what he does – deliver a stirring speech in which he detailed his vision for the future of St. Thomas University.
In essence, he talked about his upcoming ambitious nine-year strategic plan for STU greatness, which is called: Pursue Excellence.
“This place is special,” Armstrong said. “We have nine years to take us to the next level.
“We want to be one of the top 20 Catholic universities in the country. We want to be the great Catholic university of the South, and I know we can do it with this team.”
Armstrong said he learned a “hard lesson” back when he was a young football coach.
“It’s not about me,” said Armstrong, connecting yet again with his humility. “My job is to get a ton of people who are better than me and then remove obstacles so that they can be great.”
Looking at everyone in the room, President Armstrong closed his speech by saying the following:
“You all inspire me on a daily basis. Let’s keep doing that because we are going to be the great Catholic university of the South!”
